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COURSE CARE

Climate Change Or Just Another Weird Year?
February 27, 2015

Climate Change Or Just Another Weird Year?

By David A. Oatis, Director
January 8, 2008

Prior to Christmas, winter storms produced a
blanket of ice in some areas of the region and had
superintendents worried. In fact, the duration of ice cover
prompted some to remove or consider removal techniques in hopes
of avoiding turf injury. With current temperatures nearing the
60Â° F mark in some areas, it is hard to believe winter weather is
much of an issue in the Northeast. However, wide fluctuations in
temperatures can wreak havoc with the turf. Annual bluegrass that
is subjected to 45-50Â° temperatures, combined with free moisture
for 2-3 days, can lose 50% of its winter hardening, and this can
leave it vulnerable to direct low temperature kill, desiccation,
and crown hydration injury. One sharp drop in temperature (or
multiple less-severe drops) can kill it.

Unfortunately, there is little turf managers
can do to help the situation at this point. Winter injury can be
very frustrating and perplexing for turf managers and golfers
alike. Lots of second guessing usually follows the occurrence of
winter injury. Some of the most common questions are:

Could it have been prevented?

Was it something the superintendent
did?

Why was the course across the street
spared?

What can we do differently next time?

The truth is, there are times when there just
isn't a solution. If the weather is bad enough, damage will occur
regardless of what the turf manager does or doesn't do. There are
times when removing layers of snow and ice help prevent or
promote damage. There also are times when removal can exacerbate
the damage. Perhaps the most confusing aspect of winter injury is
that it is very difficult to tell when the damage actually
occurred. It is not uncommon to have turf that is severely
damaged early in the winter appear normal as the thaw occurs
(frozen plants don't decompose quickly), only to quickly decline
following the spring melt. Removing plugs of turf from the greens
on a regular basis throughout the winter and incubating them
(bringing them indoors to start growing) can help to identify if
and when damage has occurred. It is a fair amount of work to
remove plugs from frozen ground, and space is needed to incubate
them. More importantly, a nursery is needed to replace them in
the spring. However, doing so can help answer some questions in
the spring if your greens have sustained damage.

As always, don't hesitate to call our office if
you have questions or concerns. We look forward to seeing you at
the next conference.